Paper roll dispenser



Sept. 26, 1939. w. v. HUNT PAPER ROLL DISPENSER Filed April 13. 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ffl /n AT TORNEY.

I INVA-NTOR. Maw/*7. V. l/wvr.

Sept. 26,1939. w. v. HUNT 2,174,190

PAPER ROLL DISPENSER Filed April 15, 1958 3 s s t 2 //v VEN ran MIL/EFL V Ila/v7.

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l3, 3 s t s t 3 INVENTOR. WILL/0M. V. l/wvr 12 44 AT TORNE Y- Patented Sept. 26, 1939 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE PAPER ROLL DISPENSER Application April 13, 1938, Serial No. 201,751

13 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in paper roll dispensers which are particularly adapted for dispensing paper for towel purposes.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide means actuated by the paper as it is withdrawn from the dispenser for preventing the immediate withdrawal of one strip or sheet immediately following the severance of a previous strip from the roll; to provide means whereby after a predetermined interval, the free end of the roll shall be projected into view and gripping position, and to produce a dispenser which will require no effort on the part of the user other than that required to pull out the strip and tear it from the roll of which it previously formed part.

The invention consists of a paper roll support, a roller which is adapted to be rotated by the paper strip and means actuated by the roller for stopping the paper strip at a predetermined point and for disposing the strip in a position to be severed transversely, as will be more fully described in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the invention with the front cover removed.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1, showing the parts at rest.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View taken on the ;line 3-3 of Figure 1 showing the parts at rest.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view similar to that of Figure 3 showing the position of the parts just at the stopping of the roller and the tilting of the table.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view similar to that of Figure 3 showing the table returned to normal position and the roller on its return stroke.

Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the table releaslng lever and is taken on the line 6-5 of Figure 3.

Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of a modified form of the invention showing the front cover removed.

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the modification taken on the line 8-{-l of Figure '7.

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view of the modification taken on the line 9-4! of Figure '7.

Fig. 10 is a detail View of the roller of the modification together with its gear train.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each figure.

The numeral I indicates a casing having a base plate 2, a back wall 3, a top wall l and two transverse partitions 5 and 6, which partitions support a floor 1 and a pair of preferably inclined rails 8. The rails are adapted to support a loose shaft 9 of 55 a paper roll I9. Rotatably mounted parallel to the floor 1 is an idler ll over which the free end of the paper roll strip is led. Pivotally supported from the partitions 5 and 6 is a roller frame it which consists of depending arms it and M connected together with a substantially semi-cylindrical guard I5. The partitions 5 and t are cut away below the floor I to permit the roller frame to swing freely, see Figure 2. Mounted between the free ends of the arms l3 and i i is a roller it which is preferably provided with a gripping surface so that paper drawn around it will cause said roller to rotate. The roller i6 is mounted upon a sleeve ll which in turn is rotatably mounted upon a shaft 18. Secured to the end of the sleeve ll is a pinion l9 which drives a pair of coupled gears fill, which are rotatably mounted from the arm l4 and the smaller of the gears 2t drives a gear 21 secured to the shaft [8. The gear train thus shown causes the shaft [8 tobe driven by the roller it upon the sleeve ii at a reduced speed, but in the same direction. Coupled with the gears 26 is a ratchet wheel 22 which is engaged by a pawl 23 for the purpose of preventing the roller 16 from turning in an opposite direction. At opposite ends of the shaft [8 cranks 24 are fitted, each of which are pivotally connected at their free ends by an arm 25 which in turn is hingedly swung from a pin 26 adjacent the back wall 3, so that the cranks 24 on making a complete rotation cause the roller frame l2 to swing inwardly from the position shown in Figure 1 to that shown in Figure 5 and back again.

Extending upwardly from the base 2 are vertical supports 21' and 28, between which is rockingly mounted a table 29 over the lip of which the free edge of the paper strip normally hangs and projects through a horizontal slot 3| beneath a guard 35 defined between said lip and the front cover 32 of the dispenser. Below the table lip is a knife 33 preferably having a serrated edge as at 34 for severing that portion of the paper strip which is withdrawn from the dispenser. The table is normally at rest in the position shown in Figures 2, 3 and 5 and is capable of being moved to the position shown in Figure 4, subsequent to which it is allowed to return slowly to its normal position by a dash pct 35 suspended from the partition 6 and connected to an arm 38 extending from a rear corner of said table. Suspended from the floor 'l is a swinging stop 31, see Figures 3, 4 and 6 having at its lower end a tongue 38 and projecting from the rear edge of the table 29 is a lug 39 which normally is below the swinging stop 3'! to prevent the table lip from swinging downwardly.

On the rear edge of the table a pivotally mounted rocker 40 is fitted, which projects over the lug 39 and normally lies in contact with the swinging stop 3?. The outer end of the rocker is provided with a leaf spring contact 4| which is adapted to be pressed towards the table by a radial finger 42 mounted upon the end of the roller i6 adjacent the arm l3. The radial finger moves the spring contact forwardly and the inner end of the rocker 4Q outwardly immediately prior to the roller l6 completing its inward swing, thus causing the rocker to move the swinging stop 3'! off the end of the lug 39 to enable the table to tip to the position shown in Figure 4.

Mounted upon the support 2'? is an upwardly projecting stop 43 which is adapted to be engaged just prior to the tilting of the table 29 by the leg 44 of a bell crank 45. This bell crank is provided with an inwardly projecting pin 45 which underlies the adjacent arm 25 and also a light spring 47 which maintains the engagement of said arm by the pin until the leg 44 of the bell crank 45 comes into engagement with the stop 43 or until the parts assume the position shown in Figure 5.

In the modification shown in Figures 7 to 10 inclusive, the roller traverse is substantially vertical instead of horizontal, though the general principle is the same. The numeral 50 indicates a swinging frame consisting of a shaft 5! journalled between the partitions 5 and 6 and having secured upon the ends of the shaft, arms 52 and 53. A shaft 54 is journalled in the free ends of the arms 52 and 53 upon which is rotatably mounted as a unit a ratchet wheel 55, a radial arm 56 and a pinion 51. The radial arm in Figure 10 is shown in an advanced position to that indicated in Figure 8. The pinion 57 meshes with a gear 58 which is coupled to a smaller gear 59, both of which are mounted upon a stub shaft 6|] extending from the arm 53. The gear 59 engages a gear 6| which is secured to the shaft 54. A cylindrical roller 62 is rotatably mounted upon the shaft 54 and is fitted adjacent one end with a spring pressed pawl 63 which engages the ratchet wheel 55 to drive it in the same direction and at a slower speed than the roller. A spring pressed pawl 64 is also mounted on the arm 53 to engage a ratchet wheel 55 which is coupled to the gear 59, so that the shaft 54 may turn in one direction only and since another ratchet is fitted within the roller as above described, the roller may overrun the shaft beyond that provided by the gear reduction train. The shaft 54 is provided at its ends with cranks 66 having pins 6! connecting with the free ends of a pair of swinging arms 63 and 59 which are pivotally supported from the base 2.

Pivotally suspended from the back wall 3 is a guard frame 10 consisting of a pair of depending arms 1! having a weighted cross bar HA and connected together at their free ends with a rod forming a guard 12 which is preferably inclined to the right as shown. Immediately in advance of the guard 12 a stationary knife 13 is supported, which is adapted to contact the paper strip being drawn downwardly at the back of the guard, when said guard swings to the forward end of its stroke. The depending arms H each carry a projecting pin 14, which pins are adapted to abut latches i5 pivotally mounted on the partitions 5 and 6. The pivot upon which the arms H swing consists of a light shaft 16 which carries at its outer ends a pair of levers respectively numbered 11 and 18. The lever 18 terminating in a projecting tongue 19 which is raised by the radial arm 56 as it reaches a substantially upright position on the last revolution of the shaft 54 on rising movement of the shaft and roller. From the pins of the levers Tl and E3 rods 8| are connected, which also connect with the latches 15, so that when the radial arm 56 raises the levers H and 18 the latches 15 are also lifted to release the guard 12 and permit it to swing forward in response to the pull of the paper strip and let the paper come into cutting contact with the knife. Extending forwardly from the swinging arm 69 is a bracket 82 having a pin 83 projecting outwardly, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear.

Mounted upon the partition 6 is a dash pot 84 having a piston rod 85 connecting through a bell crank 88 mounted on said partition and a link 81, shown in dotted line in Figure 8, to one of the arms H of the guard frame 70 for the purpose of delaying its return movement to the normal position shown.

Pivotally mounted upon a bracket 88 is a lever 89, weighted at its forward end to counterbalance to some extent the roller 62 and its associated parts. The lever 89 is connected at its rear end to a dash pot 90, shown in dotted line in Figure 8 and also through a connecting rod 9! to the adjacent arm 53. Extending downwardly from the lever 89 is an arm 92 which is adapted to engage the pin 83 when the dash pot has allowed the roller 62 to drop about one quarter of its travel and subsequently to draw the guard frame 10 a short distance away from the back wall 3. When the roller (-22 has dropped to its lowermost position, the pins i4 abut the latches 15, which prevent the guard rail 12 from uncovering the knife.

The operation of the dispenser as shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive is as follows:

The paper roll I0 is set in position with its shaft 9 resting upon the rails 8 with its free end passing downwardly and inwardly around the idler II, thence between the roller l6 and its guard l5 and over the lip of the table 29 to project into gripping position through the slot 3 l as shown in Figure 2. When the strip of paper is gripped and pulled downwardly it grips the roller l6, causing it to rotate in the direction indicated and through the gearing, imparts rotation in the same direction to the cranks 24, causing the roller to swing laterally towards the back wall 3, see Figure 4, when the roller has progressed so far in this direction as to cause the radial finger 42 to press the contact 4| of the rocker 48 towards the table 29, the swinging stop 31 will be thrust rearwardly off the lug 39 and permit the table to tilt, that the paper strip may engage the knife 33 and a towel strip be severed from its free end. During the severance of the paper, the roller i6 is locked against movement because the radial finger 42 is against the spring stop, but when the tension on the free end of the strip is relieved the table assumes its normal position, again freeing the roller for rotation and the spring 4'! rocks the bell crank 45 to engage the stop 43, see Figure 5, and to raise the cranks 24 well above centre, so that the table may return to normal position by such slow motion as the dash pot 35 provides, releasing the roller mechanism that it too may swing back to normal position. On the return of the roller, the guard l5 bears against the bight of the paper strip and pushes the free end of said strip outwardly to project through the slot 3! ready for further operation.

In the modification shown in Figures 7 to 10 inclusive, the paper strip follows the path indicated in dotted line in Figure 9, passing over the roller 62 and downwardly between the guard frame 10 and under the guard 12. The free end of the strip is drawn downwardly and with a slight forward motion.

When at rest, the roller 62 and its associated mechanism is in its lowermost position as indicated in dotted line in Figure 9. As tension is applied to the free end of the paper, the roller 62 is caused to rotate in the direction shown and so is the shaft 54, though at a lower speed. The turning of the shaft 54 and its cranks 66 causes the roller to be thrust upwardly until the radial arm 56, which is rotating at roller speed, engages the tongue 19 of the lever 18 and raises it (Figure 8 shows the several parts just before the radial arm reaches the tongue and before the roller attains its highest position). As soon as the tongue and its lever 18 are raised to their ultimate position, the latches 15 are raised, so that the slight forward pull on the paper may swing the guard frame 10 to its foremost position and allow the paper to be cut by the knife 13. As soon as the tension on the paper is relieved, the guard frame 10 swings back by gravity to hold the depending portion of the strip, which is between it and the back wall 3, against dropping down and projecting below the guard 12 and the roller having been rotated to a point where its cranks 66 are slightly over centre, will commence to drop downwardly against the action of the weighted lever 89 and the delaying action of the dash pot 90. As soon as the weighted lever 89 is swung far enough for its arm 92 to engage the pin 83 and draw the guard frame 10 away from the back wall 3 the paper held therebetween will be dropped to present a free end into gripping position again. The pawl 63 and ratchet 55 within the roller permits the shafts 54 to overrun the roller beyond its gear ratio, so that the bight of paper on the roller at the time of tripping the lever 18 will not prevent the shaft 54 from turning and the roller mechanism from turning. As the roller approaches its lowermost position, the latches I are allowed to drop and the dash pot 90 allows the guard frame to assume its normal position with its pins 14 in abutment with the latches.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A device for dispensing strips from a paper roll comprising a paper roll support, a roller adapted to be rotated by the paper strip as it is drawn thereover, said roller being mechanically moved away from and to a normal position in response to its own rotation, and tearing means engageable with the paper for severing the paper when the roller has substantially completed its movement away from normal position.

2. A device for dispensing strips from a paper roll comprising a paper roll support, a roller adapted to be rotated by the paper strip as it is drawn thereover, said roller being mechanically moved away from and to a normal position in response to its own rotation, a knife for severing the strip, and means for preventing the paper from engaging the knife during the withdrawal movement of the paper.

3. A device for dispensing strips from a paper roll comprising a paper roll support, a roller adapted to be rotated by the paper strip as it is drawn thereover, said roller being mechanically moved away from and to a normal position in response to its own rotation, a knife for severing the strip, and means for preventing the paper from engaging the knife until the roller has substantially completed its movement away from normal position.

4. A device for dispensing strips from a paper roll comprising a paper roll support, a roller having a movement away from and to a normal position and adapted to be rotated by the paper strip as it is drawn thereover, a knife for severing the strip, and means for preventing the paper from engaging the knife until the roller has substantially completed its movement away from normal position, and means for projecting into gripping position the free end of the roll strip after a strip has been severed therefrom by the knife.

5. A device for dispensing strips from a paper roll as claimed in claim 4 having means for delaying the projection of the free end of the roll strip for a predetermined interval after the severance of a strip by the knife.

6. A device for dispensing strips from a paper roll comprising a casing having a paper roll sup port and a dispensing slot, a roller adapted to be rotated by the paper strip as it is withdrawn from the roll, said roller being mounted for movement away from and towards a normal position, a knife for severing the paper as it is withdrawn through the slot, means for keeping the strip away from the knife until a predetermined length is withdrawn from the slot, and means for projecting the free end of the roll through the slot when the roller is moving towards its normal position.

7. A device for dispensing strips from a paper roll comprising a casing having a paper roll support and a dispensing slot, a roller adapted to be rotated by the paper strip as it is withdrawn. from the roll, said roller being mounted for movement away from and towards a normal position, a knife for severing the paper as it is withdrawn through the slot, means for keeping the strip away from the knife until a predetermined length is withdrawn from the slot, means for holding the free end of the roll subsequent to the severance of a strip, and means for projecting the free end of the said roll during the movement of the roller towards its normal position.

8. A device for dispensing strips from a paper roll comprising a paper roll support, a roller adapted to be rotated by the paper strip as it is withdrawn from the roll, said roller having a swinging movement away from and towards a normal position, a knife for severing a strip from the roll, means for guarding the strip from the knife until a predetermined length is withdrawn, means actuated by the roller as it reaches a position remote from normal position for releasing the strip guarding means and permit the strip to be cut, and means for delaying the return of the roller towards its normal position.

9. A device for dispensing strips from a paper roll comprising a paper roll support, a roller over which the paper is adapted to be drawn, and means for severing a strip of paper from the paper roll, said roller having a movement from and towards a normal position and being rotatable by the withdrawal of the paper on one stroke of its reciprocatory movement, said roller serving to permit the projection of the free end of the roll strip into gripping position on its return movement to normal position.

10. A device for dispensing strips from a paper roll comprising a paper roll support, a roller ro-' tatable by the paper as it is withdrawn thereover, a swinging guard for guiding the paper to the point of delivery and a knife for severing a strip from the paper roll, said roller being mounted for movement away from and towards a normal position and being adapted to be rotated only by the paper passing thereover dur ing the roller movement away from the normal position, means for stopping the roller and for permitting the guard to swing to bring the paper into contact with the knife.

11. A device for dispensing strips from a paper roll comprising a paper roll support, a shaft movable away from and to a normal position, a roller geared to the shaft to rotate it and cause it to move away from normal position, said roller being rotatable by the paper as it is Withdrawn thereover, a knife for severing a strip from the roll strip and a guard normally guarding the paper from contact with the knife, means associated with the roller for releasing the guard when the shaft has substantially completed its movement away from normal position to permit the paper to be severed by the knife.

12. A device for dispensing strips of paper from a roll comprising a roll holder, a pair of swing ing arms journalling a shaft, a roller rotatable about the shaft and geared thereto, said roller being adapted to be rotated by the paper strip being drawn around it, the rotation of said roller by the paper being adapted to swing the shaft in one direction, a knife for severing a strip of paper from the roll strip, a hinged guard for guiding the paper from the device and for guarding the strip from contact with the knife, means as the shaft approaches the end of its movement in one direction for releasing the guard, and means for moving the shaft in the opposite direction when the guard is released.

13. A device for dispensing strips of paper from a roll comprising a roll holder, a roller movable away from and to a normal position, said roller being adapted to be rotated by the roll strip as it is withdrawn from the device, means for severing the strip when a predetermined length has been withdrawn, and means for freeing the paper from driving contact with the roll prior to its return to normal position.

WILLIAM V. HUNT. 

